DENVER — A Southwest Airlines flight departing from Denver International Airport (DIA) was forced to make an emergency landing after a tire burst during takeoff, prompting fears of a disaster among passengers. However, their terror turned to praise for the pilot who managed to land the plane safely.
Southwest Flight 225, bound for Phoenix on Monday evening, carried 137 passengers. According to FlightAware, the plane took off from DIA at 6:31 p.m., shortly before many passengers were startled by a loud noise.
“It was like a loud pop, which we later found out was the tire blowing out. But at the time, we kind of had no idea like, did we run over something?” said Julianna Donadio, a passenger on the flight heading to visit her mother in Phoenix.
Southwest Airlines confirmed that the tire had failed, leading the pilots to declare an emergency landing. Audio obtained by 9NEWS from Live Air Traffic reveals the pilot informed air traffic control about the uncertain extent of the damage and requesting firetrucks on the runway, prompting an emergency declaration.
> Below: Southwest Flight 255 emergency landing Air Traffic Control-Pilot audio
Donadio described the ensuing chaos in the cabin, explaining that the tire blowout had compromised the hydraulic system.
“All of a sudden, we saw the flight attendants run… turning all the lights on inside the plane and them saying we might have an emergency landing and we have to brace for a crash,” she said this is the moment she keeps reliving in her head.
Flight attendants, unsure if the plane might catch fire upon landing, began prepping the exit rows and ensuring passengers were ready to deploy the slides if necessary.
“A lot of passengers were crying and screaming… There was definitely a moment I was like, OK, I may die on this flight, and I know fellow passengers around me felt the same way,” Donadio said.
Relief came when the pilot addressed the passengers over the intercom.
“He was so calm… We were like, OK, he’s there for us and our lives are in his hands,” Donadio said.
Donadio remembers the landing being the scariest part. Flight attendants instructed passengers to put their heads in between their knees and brace for impact, repeatedly shouting, “Heads down, stay down!”
She held the hand of a stranger next to her. During those tense moments, “Everyone was really holding on to one another,” Donadio said.
FlightAware shows the plane landed safely back at DIA at 7:12 p.m., where firetrucks were waiting. Donadio said one passenger was seen being taken out on a stretcher.
In the Live Air Traffic audio, the pilot can be heard saying, “Thanks for the help today.” to air traffic control. And in the cabin, the mood shifted to relief and celebration.
“Everyone was like screaming and clapping and cheering. And I know, on some normal flights, people do that. But it was so different. It was just like, just such a thankful, like appreciation to the flight attendants and the pilot,” Donadio said.
Southwest confirmed that a flight to Phoenix did depart later that night. However, Donadio and a few other passengers opted not to continue her journey, citing enough flying for one night.
She was able to reschedule her flight for free, and other passengers received a $100 voucher.
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